>The reason for bringing this up was not so much to make a point,
>it was to ask for guidance. What should be done in this kind of
>situation? Should we let people believe whatever they want even
>if it appears to be self-destructive?
It would seem more effective in this case to use their own religion to
enlighten them, rather than try to take away the one source of comfort they
think they have when they are already feeling vulnerable. My instinct would
be to remind them of something they may have forgotten about--their own
biblical teachings.
Many of those that their beloved Christ healed, were more often than not
also those who had already tried every other known treatment, but to no
avail. (Mark 5:25-34 "And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood
twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent
all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse...") If
this was the case with their Savior himself at the ready, how much more must
we each try first before passing-the-buck to God?
"For it is written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God!"
Failing that righteous tirade, and probably 100 times more effective in
changing someones thinking, I'd offer a very old joke:
During a long and stormy season a southern town is flooded. Ezekiel, a
particulary pious and upright citizen however, refuses to leave his home,
insisting that he has nothing to fear from the rising waters "bein' as the
Lord will protect him from harm."
And so he ignores all the warnings and just commences to prayin'.
About the time the floodwaters begin to trickle past his doorstep a neighbor
happens to float down the street in a small dingy. He yells out, to
Ezekiel, "I reckon I'm a leaving and movin' to higher ground. There's
plenty of room in the boat for you too, why don't you come along?"
"That's right neighborly of you," he shouts back, "but I'm not afraid of no
floodwaters. The Lord Jesus will keep me from harm!"
The floods get higher and Ezekiel's prayers get louder and pretty soon he
has to move up to the second floor to avoid getting wet. Glancing out an
upstairs window he see's an inflatable raft going by. The young man on the
raft shouts out to him, "Now don't you worry, we'll get you and take you to
higher ground, sir."
"Thank you no," Ezekiel shouts back throught the window. "I have no
worries, son. You git yourself to higher ground. The Lord Jesus will keep
me from harm!"
And the floods get even higher and before you know it old Ezekiel is stuck
up on his roof, surrounded by water on all sides and praying up a storm.
After a spell a Coast Guard cruiser floats on by Ezekiel's perch.
"Its going to be alright, old man," the officer shouts through his bullhorn,
"we're here to save you."
"Dagnabit! Save yer saving for someone who needs it!" Ezekiel snaps back
at them angrily. "Go rescue yourself some sinners and leave me to my
prayin'. The Lord Jesus will keep me from harm!"
And so the boat drives off. And the waters just kept a rising and before
you know it old Ezekiel finds himself at the pearly gates being introduced
to Lord Jesus hisself.
"Lord Jesus," stammered Ezekiel, "I've just got me one question... now that
I'm up here in Heaven with ya'all. Its just that... well, down on earth,
durin' that last flood, ya see... Lord I was praying and praying for your
divine help, and yet you never answered me!"
And the Lord Jesus grew mighty in his visage and lightening bolts shot from
his eyes in every direction and his voice rolled like thunder throughout the
heavens, verily, shouting out,
"Never answered you? NEVER ANSWERED YOU?!? I came by three
times, you twit, but you wouldn't get in the FUCKING BOAT!!!
-Prof. Tim